Sunday, March 18, 2018

QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, recently launched the QBO App, a virtual hub for startups all over the country. The QBO App has already garnered over 100 downloads on the Google Play Store. The app is also available for download on iOS.

The founding partners of QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, were all present for QBO QNNECT: The QBO App Launch, the official unveiling of a virtual hub developed by QBO with the vision of Filipino startups changing the world. (From L-R: Secretary Fortunato “Boy” de la Peña, the Department of Science and Technology; Katrina Chan, Director, QBO; Assistant Secretary Rafaelita “Fita” Aldaba, the Department of Trade and Industry; Patricia Javier-Gutierrez, Executive Director and Head of Communications, J.P. Morgan; Diane Eustaquio, Executive Director, IdeaSpace Foundation Inc.; and Rene “Butch” Meily, President, QBO.)

The program was headlined by the top-tier leaders of QBO’s public and private partners and attended by over 200 guests from the startup ecosystem, including notable founders and entrepreneurs, mentors and investors, and representatives from various Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), startup enablers, incubators, and corporations.

Some notable guests included local startups like Cropital, Pushkart, and Tripkada. The event was also attended by top executives from QBO’s public and private partners, including Ola Almgren, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Chaye Cabal Revilla, CFO of Smart Communications, Inc.; Gil Chua, Chairman and CEO of DDB; and Monchito Ibrahim, Undersecretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The lineup of speakers at the launch included QBO’s founding partners, such as Secretary Fortunato dela Peña of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and Roberto Panlilio, Senior Country Officer of J.P. Morgan Philippines.

The QBO App is a virtual hub or a digital space where startups and entrepreneurs can come together to connect and collaborate with other players in the startup ecosystem and contribute their own knowledge and information with the community. It is an extension of QBO’s on-ground efforts to unite and empower the local startup ecosystem to work towards the same vision of Filipino startups changing the world.

“QBO App’s prime purpose is to connect the dots in the local startup ecosystem, not just for startups in Metro Manila, but for Philippine startups, investors, and collaborators all over the world. It’s an avenue for Filipino startups’ ideas to move forward,” said Katrina Chan, Director, QBO.

Rapid growth

Before the grand reveal at the QNNECT: The QBO App Launch, an unveiling of a virtual hub meant to unite and empower the local startup ecosystem, Rene “Butch” Meily, President of QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, asks everyone to say “yes” to the future of Philippine startups.

“What makes our platform so strong is that there are so many passionate and dedicated individuals in the startup ecosystem and this is the platform they’ll be using to connect with each other,” added Chan.

“The app’s growth is a testament to the worthiness and effectiveness of its mission. It’s a more convenient and accessible way to stay on top of the startup ecosystem, whether you’re a founder, mentor, or investor. It’s also very appealing to some of the younger Millennials who seek to establish themselves in the startup industry, as it’s a user experience that they’re more familiar with,” said Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, DOST Undersecretary.

QNNECT, QLLABORTE, QNTRIBUTE

The QBO App is designed with the following functions in mind: QNNECT, QLLABORATE, AND QNTRIBUTE.

The app’s QNNECT feature allows founders to get in touch with other players in the industry and form partnerships. Through the app, mentors and investors can also discover new businesses and other potentially disruptive investments.

The welcoming remarks of the QBO App Launch featuring Roberto L. Panlilio, the Managing Director and Senior Country Officer of J.P. Morgan, one of QBO’s founding partners.

“One of the more important aspects of the QBO program as well as this new app is that it provides members with easier access to world-class mentors, business leaders, and other entrepreneurs who’ve thrived across industries. This collaborative environment and sharing of best practices build and strengthens even further the local startup community,” said Patricia Anne Javier-Gutierrez, Head of Communications at J.P. Morgan.

The QLLABORATE function allows members to see what startup events, opportunities, and programs are happening when and where. Startups can also better collaborate with each other and reach out to special guests or speakers through the app’s ‘Groups’ feature. Members can also access relevant resources through the app, such as startup reports, government forms, powerpoint presentations from speakers, and other documents that are all downloadable exclusively in the app through the ‘Content’ function.

Much like other social networking sites, the QBO app is also the perfect avenue to QNTRIBUTE. Startups can share news or push their products and services through the News function, where they can post videos, photos, links, or other startup-related content in a social media-like timeline.

How to download the app

The app can be found on either Google Play Store or the App Store. Search for “QBO Innovation Hub”. After downloading, register through e-mail, cell phone, or Facebook. Users will have to wait for their membership approval from the QBO team. Once approved, they can create their profiles and begin to QNNECT.